| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Iron Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Iron Mountain Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, May 8, 2015 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for maybe a half dozen sensibly parked vehicles at the trailhead on Iron Mountain Road in Jackson. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The middle section of the IMT is much worse than when I was here last year. It is extremely eroded with two large washed out areas. I had contacted the WMNF last year about the trail, and they stated it would need to be rebuilt "when funds are available". :( At this point, it either needs to be reconstructed completely or relocated. The IMT on the north side of the mountain is in pretty good shape as is the spur to the mine (the abandoned Jericho Trail). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs, but I'd recommend keeping them leashed on some of the steeply sloping south cliffs. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Buzzing around, but not biting yet. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found one small patch of snow still holding on right at the start of the trail. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Hiked this one again as a redo after getting chased off by rain last time. Start of the IMT was wet in its usual wet area. Views from the field are amazing as always. See trail notes above regarding the conditions on the IMT. Shortly before the summit area are two short side paths. The first one on the right leads to an uplifted ledge with an open view over to Washington. I also stumbled across a geocache near here. The second leads left to another uplifted ledge with restricted views through the trees.
Interesting fire tower remains at the summit, I bushwhacked around a bit to find others. Blazing seems to stop here, but cairns mark the way to the south cliffs, with one hand drawn sign pointing the way. I went to the cliffs first, which are awesome! Wide views over lower Montalban Ridge, Attitash, North Moat, Sandwich Range, and over into Maine. Use caution on some of the cliffs, as the ledges slope steeply to a sheer drop off. Not a place to slip.
I doubled back and found the junction to the mine spur, which is not signed but is marked with a cairn. It drops maybe 0.2 mi. to the mine site, which is just ok. Basically a huge quarry-like hole. I could only venture so far in, as it was filled with water. The spur trail follows the route of the abandoned Jericho Trail, which was one of three trails that once led to the summit. It continues past the mine and can be followed all the way down to Jericho Road from what I've learned. I'll try coming up that way next time.
This is a very interesting, underrated and lightly traveled peak, with interesting history and views. Be aware that visiting the cliffs and the mine involve climbing over the summit again on the way back. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2015-05-10 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
